THOMAS D. GAFFNEY
June 19, 1933 ~ October 1, 2019
Thomas Daniel Gaffney was born to James Proctor Gaffney, Sr. and Maggie Lena Butler Gaffney on June 19, 1933 in Laredo, Texas.
In 1946 the family moved to San Antonio, a short time after the move, the family united with the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorate of the late Rev. S. E. Steward. It is here that Thomas accepted Christ.
Thomas graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School of San Antonio, Texas in 1952. After graduation he attended San Antonio College for a brief period of time he then joined the United States Air Force where he graduated from the United States Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences in Colorado. He retired from United States Air Force after 20+ years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant.
Once Thomas retired he became a driving force in the community to improve the education process for all students, encourage students to look down the road toward higher education and to get the community as a whole more involved. He served on the Board of the San Antonio Independent School District from 1972 – 1998. He served as president of the 35 member board of Project FREE, member of the San Antonio River Corridor Committee, member of the Executive Committee of the NAACP and was active in many more organizations. He received numerous awards for outstanding community service and meritorious performance.
In 1983 Thomas opened San Antonio Operation Big Vote Center to provide voter registration counseling and training to churches, schools, the disabled, PTA’s, business groups, senior citizens, etc. on the importance of being a registered voter and getting out to vote. The center also provided computer training. He operated this program until he became too ill to continue.
Thomas was preceded in death by his Mother, Maggie L. Gaffney; his Brothers, Houston Carnel Gaffney and James Proctor Gaffney, Jr., and one sister, Viola Gaffney. The family of Thomas Gaffney wishes to acknowledge the recent death of his nephew, Alonzo S. McKinney.
Thomas leaves his legacy and cherished memories with his three sisters, Florence McKinney of San Antonio, Texas; Dorothy Watler of San Antonio, Texas; and Lena Jackson of San Antonio, Texas; Nieces, Jessica Williams, Pamela Lafaye McKinney, Pamela Patterson McKinney, Charlotte McKinney, Sharee’ McKinney, Rhonda Webb and Jennifer Watler; Great Nieces, Alenzia McKinney, Courtney McKinney, Jazmin McKinney, Jordan Watler and Janay Hardy; Nephews, Keith McKinney, Eric Watler, Errol Watler, Erick Gaffney, Sr.; Great Nephews, Erick Gaffney, Jr., Christian McKinney, Anthony Webb and a host of cousins and other family and friends.
Services
Interment: October 15, 2019 1:30 pm - August 26, 2025 2:33 pm
Fort Sam Houston National CemeteryView current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Condolences to the family …my prayers are with you…
I light a candle for Mr. Gaffney as he did for countless children and members of the San Antonio community. He was a champion for good and prosperity. May his works be a beacon of light to others.
With sympathy to your whole family
My condolences to the family of Mr. Gaffney. He was a wonderful gentleman who wanted the best for students and families of SAISD. Thank you for mentoring me as a young teacher at M. L. King Middle School.
A gentlemen and a scholar. Thank you Mr. Gaffney for taking time to listen to our children, parents and community. I know that you helped so many along their roads to their goals. Thank you for being present to explain and further discuss the opportunities to serve our communities. You along with many others made me a better educator and person. I am certain there is an SAISD gate to Heaven and you along with your colleague Mrs. C Rocha will be greeting us all !
Thank you Mr. Gaffney for your commitment to children – specifically the ones of the Eastside of San Antonio. I remember how Mr. Gaffney would walk the halls of Davis when I was there as a student and how he constantly reminded us of our potential. Whenever, I would see him years after he would talk about the pride he had in all of the graduates that would stop to share fond memories and his impact. My sincerest condolences and prayers to the Gaffney family.Â
Sincerely,Â
Tiffany Grant – SAISD Chief of Staff
Mr. Gaffney served on the school board during my 17 year tenure as Principal of Dorie Miller Elem. He was always dedicated to the cause of moving children toward excellence. I remember addressing the students in different languages and wearing his signature Khaki pants, blue shirt and navy blue sports coat. Those were the good ole’ days.
Earl J. Bullock, Jr., M. Ed.
Retired after 31 years in SAISD
Mr. Gaffney gave me and my sister our first jobs in the heart of the Eastside where nobody wanted to be. He would serve us donut and lemon lime soda which he always had in stock. My sister worked on the computers while I did all of the cleaning. He taught me how to mop floors. He was a man of integrity and excellence and believed in the community and in young lives. My sister is an attorney in San Antonio and I live in New York as a businessman and entrepreneur. My sister has her masters in law and in a semester from ny masters in public administration. mr. Gaffney was extremely instrumental in me and my sister becoming successful and I love him and thank him for believing in my future! You will be greatly missed!
So sad to learn of this news. Mr. Gaffney was the best supervisor ever when I worked at 433rd Airlift Wing at Kelly AFB, TX. Sorry I was not there on your departure to heaven. You will be missed. Rest In Peace.
I didn’t know about Toms passing. Tom was. Hero’s, hero, my hero! I was 19 years old when I was assigned to the 67th Airlift Squadron. I was an kid out of the real Westside of San Antonio. He was a Tsgt in the 67th Sq. So here was a black Sgt. Chewing me out in Spanish. Very stern, but fair. Then came his beautiful smile, then I knew God had sent him to protect and guide young Airmen like Airman Campos who went on serve honorably for 38 years as C-124, C-130, and C-5 Loadmaster (he was there at Kelly AFB, when I was on the crew that delivered the first C-5, to the 433rd Airlift swing, He was there when we flew the Hubble Telescope From California to Kennedy Space Center, for NASA, on a C-5.. It was a pleasure, to speak to kids, that Tom brought out to tour the C-5. He would a couple of us folks, in flightsuits to speak. Such a special bond between Msgt Gaffney and Msgt Campos. People like Tom made this country great. I will never forget what an inspiration he was for that 19 year old Airman that came out of the Westside of San Antonio. I will miss him.
TO THE FAMILY OF MR. MASTER SARGENT THOMAS D. GAFFNEY AND THE FAMILY, I SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS GONE TOO SOON, MY CONDOLENCES AND MY AND MY SYMPATHY ARE WITH YOU ALL, I’VE KNOWN HIM SINCE I WAS 11 YRS OLD IN THE 5TH GRADE AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON NOLAN ST. IN SAN ANTINIO, TEXAS MR. GAFFNEY WAS A GREAT MAN AND I STILL MISS HIM AND HIM ALWAY’S, RIP ALWAY’S MR. GAFFNEY AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, MY HERO, MY WARRIOR, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE I’M SO GLAD YOU EXISTED THER’E WILL NEVER WILL BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE YOURSELF, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ALWAY’S THROUGH ETERNITY, I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU ALWAY’S MR. THOMAS D. GAFFNEY..